On left: No. 13 Dominic Besag ’26 shares a congratulatory embrace with Gael alum No. 12 Tavite Lopeti ’21 after he scored the third try of the match for Team USA. On right: Payton Telea Ilalio ’20 greets the crowd after the win against Belgium on Saturday, July 5. / Image courtesy USA Rugby

USA Rugby Dominates Belgium with Five Gaels on the Squad

Dominic Besag ’26, Vili Helu ’19, and Tavite Lopeti ’21 open up the scoreboard in the USA Rugby match again Belgium on Saturday, July 5

by Club Sports | July 6, 2025

The USA Men's Eagles opened their 2025 season with a 36–17 victory over Belgium in their first-ever test match between the two nations. And the first three tries by the Eagles came courtesy Gael Rugby. Dominic Besag '26 was the first to put points on the board for the US team, and Saint Mary’s alums Vili Helu ’19 and Tavite Lopeti ’21 made an impressive statement by scoring during the national event. All three Gaels were selected as starters, with Payton Telea Ilalio ’20 and Erich Storti ’23, MBA ’24 named on the official squad list for the USA match against Belgium.

On the board: **Dominic Besag ’26** scores the first try of the match for the Eagles against Belgium on Saturday. / *Image courtesy USA Rugby*

Read the full story by Jenni Burke for USA Rugby here.

UP NEXT: USA Rugby plays Spain on Saturday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific / 7:30 p.m. Eastern at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Eagles then take on England on July 19, at 2 p.m. Pacific / 5 p.m. Eastern in Washington, DC.

Live broadcast for both matches will be available on Paramount +

Story updated July 7, 2025, at 8:45 a.m.